So, what HAVE we been doing?

It has been SUCH a busy summer!  Sam is either gone or working very diligently on summer programs through his job during the summer months.   I run the farm and home while he's gone,  and in years past,  spend a lot of time working with the horses,  having a summer camp and catching up on household projects.   Generally, I had a good time. :)
This year was different!  I am not teaching,  so I worked full time straight through the summer while doing my best to keep the farm running and the adoption paperwork going.   I am not going to lie...  it was HARD!  I worked a full day on my feet,  then came home to eleven animals (who all took a turn being sick while Sam was away! ) needing my attention and a very weedy vegetable garden!   It was not easy, and I had some difficult moments,  but I am thankful for my family and a friend that stepped in to help.   All that being said, God and my determination to keep making money for the adoption kept me going... but I am NOT doing it that way again next summer!!!  :)  Hopefully we will have the children by then, but in adoption you have to expect the unexpected delays.
Sooooooo,  that's our summer in a nutshell.   On to fall:
Our paperwork is done (until we get a referral) , so we are waiting,  waiting,  waiting.   We've been using this time to get back into a routine after a busy summer and make some small preparations for our children.  One of the preparations we've been working on is designing a safe play area near the barn.  We know it will be a while before they can use it, but it would be great to have it done and ready before they come home.   We are taking any and all suggestions!  A swing set and a sandbox are a must, but where to put it and how to enclose it?  What other play equipment should we include (it does need to be reasonably priced! )?  Do you know anyone that has raised or is raising children on a farm?  What ways can we keep it fun and safe, but still include them in our daily work?   We've purchased a child sized wheelbarrow (modeled by Scout) and a few other things.  Any tips or recommendations?   Please let us know!   We are having fun thinking of all the things they can do on the farm with us!  :)